Disclaimer: Love Hina is the property of the guys and girls of TV Tokyo, and the creation of Ken Akamatsu. This includes all characters that appear in Love Hina.

Cherish Hina is MY property. Takeshi Urashima, Hiroko Urashima, Yumiko Nakamura, Kasumi Mitsumaru and Mizuki Kanashiro are MY characters. Please e- mail me at one_man_cult@hotmail.com if you want to use them, or if you want to post this story on your site.

This is episode 3 of a 13 part series. I still need more beta-readers, editors and writers to help in the later chapters, so if you can provide ANY help whatsoever please reply at the above e-mail address. Reviews and constructive feedback are welcome. The more help and reviews I get, the faster I can finish an episode. No flames accepted. I mean, no-one's FORCING you to read this.

Warning: This piece of fanfiction contains heaps and heaps of original characters. To all those who hate original characters (I really hate self- inserts), go break your butt on my foot. This also contains quite a few indirect spoilers for the manga series.

Extra, EXTRA special thanks to:

-The Archimage

-Artful

-IA Si (just temporarily)

Once again, all credit goes to them. These guys rock! Really! They even put up with my bad grammar and misuse of language.

Other pieces of fanfiction by either The Archimage or myself can be found on fanfiction.net.

*************************************



*Ring~ring**Ring~ring*

"Hello. This is Hinata Sou. Naru Urashima speaking."

"Hello, Naru. This is Motoko."

"Oh, Motoko! How have you been?"

"I've been quite well, thank you, but we can catch up later when I come in two days. I hope your idiot husband remembered to make arrangements."

"Yeah, I made sure he did."

"Good. Can you please put your son on the line? There is a favour I would like to ask of him."

"Umm…sure. Hold on." Naru moved the phone so she didn't accidentally scream into Motoko's ear. "Takeshi, phone call! It's from your Aunt Motoko!"

"Okay, mum. Be right there."

Naru looked confused as she handed her son the phone.

CHERISH HINA

Episode 3: The new arrivals. FIGHT!

"Aunt Motoko?"

"Hello Takeshi-kun. I need to ask a favour of you."

"What is it?"

"I need you here at the dojo tomorrow."

"Okay, I guess I can take the bullet train down there."

"Good. See you tomorrow."

"But you haven't told me why I need to go yet. And aren't you coming here in a few days anyway?"

"Yes I will be there in a few days. I will explain everything to you when you arrive."

"Stop being so cryptic, Aunt Motoko! Don't I have a say in this matter?"

"No. I don't think I should tell you anything until you arrive. "

Takeshi sighed. "Fine then. Pick me up at the train station tomorrow morning. I'll be taking the first train there."

"Very well. Good-bye, Takeshi-kun."

"Bye Aunt Motoko."

Takeshi scratched his head, thinking of why his Aunt Motoko would want him to go to her dojo. 'Aunt Motoko is usually more straightforward than that. I wonder why she wants me there for? Maybe it's to baby-sit for her. Fighting skills would be useful then.' Motoko's twins, Masaru Kiriten and Iwako Aoyama, were about the same age as Hiroko. Motoko had insisted that her daughter keep her maiden family name so that tradition could be continued. As expected, Motoko had started training them in the Shinmeiryu arts since they were very young, although it had been a long time since Takeshi had seen them. 'I wonder what they're like now? The last time I saw them they were still three.'

*****************************************

Takeshi had left early in the morning, and was eating some rice from a bento he had purchased earlier at the train station. He watched the scenery rush by his window as he sipped on a cup of tea. The passenger next to him, a young European boy around 7 years old, was busy playing on his Game Boy.

"Richard, dear. Stop playing that thing for a while. It's bad for your eyes," said the boy's mother.

"Just a bit longer. I've nearly passed stage 4."

The boy's mother gave him one of those stern looks only mothers could give, and the boy relented. Less than five minutes later, the boy was already kicking the chair in front of him in boredom, and annoying the heck out of the passenger in front of him.

"You want to swap seats?"

"Huh? Oh, thanks mister," replied the boy, surprised at Takeshi's English skills.

"No problem," replied Takeshi, getting up so they could swap. The passenger previously in front of the child gave Takeshi a look of thanks. The boy sat down and watched the countryside pass by. 'I still have no idea why Aunt Motoko wants me in Kyoto. I don't think it's a social call, since she's going to be moving to the mountain cottage anyway.' He continued to eat his breakfast. 'Perhaps she invented the fourth version of the 'Zanmaken: Ni No Tachi' attack and she needed someone to try it on. I remember mum telling me how she had perfected it by practicing on dad. Lucky he's invulnerable.' With his breakfast finished, Takeshi used the rest of his train trip to take a nap.

***************************************

Takeshi was woken from his slumber by the squeaking of seats and the shuffling of feet. Standing up and stretching his stiff muscles, Takeshi grabbed his bag and umbrella and followed the other passengers off the train.

"Why is this guy so special again?"

"Don't you ever listen to me, Masaru? His name is Takeshi Urashima, and he's a master of the Urashima martial arts. A long time ago, a man travelled across Asia to learn different types of martial arts. The fighting style created became known as the Urashima martial arts, after it's first master. My demon sword," said Motoko as she rattled her sword, "was given to that man as a symbol of acceptance.

"So this guy's pretty good."

"He's better than you."

"Everyone's better than you," added his sister.

"Ha! If everyone's better than me, and I'm better than you, what does that make you Iwako?"

"You're not better than me."

"He has arrived," indicated Motoko, indicating the ticket gate Takeshi was coming through.

It wasn't hard for Takeshi to find his Aunt Motoko, since she was taller than usual Japanese women. She was also wearing her traditional kendo outfit, which made her stand out even more. Accompanying her was whom Takeshi assumed her two children, Iwako and Masaru.

"Hi Aunt Motoko."

"Welcome, Takeshi-kun. I trust that you had a comfortable journey?"

"It wasn't too bad. Not too good for the legs, though."

"You remember the twins, don't you?" Motoko indicated her two children. By appearance, it was almost impossible to tell that Iwako and Masaru were related, let alone twins. Whereas Iwako was tall and elegant, like her mother, Masaru was short, broad and heavily built.

"Hi, Iwako. Masaru."

"Hey Takeshi. 'Sup?" Masaru greeted with a slight nod of his head.

Iwako bowed slightly in acknowledgement, preferring to say nothing.

"We'd better leave then. We have much to discuss, Takeshi-kun."

The group moved through the crowds towards the exit, staying close to Motoko. People automatically moved out of her way as soon as they saw her sword, parting and creating a path for the group to walk.

***************************************

After a short taxi trip they reached the Kiriten residence, a very old traditional styled house set on the mountainside. Takeshi had only been here once before when he was very young. Aunt Motoko usually visited them a couple of times a year. The house was very neat and orderly, in stark contrast to Hinata.

"I guess I should tell you why you're here."

"Please."

"The Martial Arts Society of Japan is holding an exhibition tournament, of which I am the host."

"Go on."

"A competitor pulled out at the last moment, and you were the only one I could contact on such short notice. I need you to take that competitor's spot."

"Wait, this isn't a Shinmeiryu tournament, is it? My dad taught me so I'm not that good."

"It is a freestyle tournament. Weapons will be allowed and the first fighter to land a successful blow wins."

"I'm not sure I'm good enough for this."

"I'm quite sure that you are. If it's any consolation, these two will be competing too."

"That's because I'm the best!" Masaru bragged, with an annoying smile on his face.

"At being a letch, maybe," retorted his sister retorted in monotone.

Takeshi ignored the twin's argument. "Okay, I'll enter. I probably won't get far, though."

"That doesn't matter," answered Motoko as she got up. "The tournament starts tomorrow. I'll show you the way to the guestroom."

***************************************

Although school had finished for the day, it was still full of students preparing for the upcoming sports carnival. It wasn't compulsory for the senior students to participate, but Yumiko, being a class representative, had to help with the organization. Kasumi decided to stay behind and keep her company. They were sitting on the makeshift grandstand that had just been erected. Yumiko's other friends were also there, but they were busy looking at all the boys down below practicing on the track.

"Do you know what events Mizuki is in, Kasumi?"

"They're allowed in four solo events and two relays, aren't they? I think she's doing the hurdles, the high jump, the 100m sprint and the long jump. I think she's in a hurdles relay and a 4 x 100 metre relay as well."

"That's a lot of events. I don't know how she does it."

"Sugar coated red jelly beans?"

"Hiroko has to take part in an event too, doesn't she. Is she in the triple jump or the sprint?"

"I think it's the sprint."

The two continued to observe the activity below them. Many were setting up the equipment or putting up the decorations. Some, like Mizuki, were practicing on the track.

"I'm glad Takeshi is back."

"Why? I don't know what you see in that dork anyway. He's so boring and he's a pervert, too. He's so uncool. Why couldn't he be more like his dad?"

"Hey! Don't say that about my best friend! Takeshi's not a pervert. He's really nice. He just…has trouble opening up to people."

"Maybe he doesn't want to reveal the inner dweeb."

"Stop that! Why can't you be a little nicer to him? You're always so mean to everyone"

"I'm sorry. It's just that…well…everybody else expects me to behave this way and I have to keep up appearances. All of those people keep following me around just because my parents are rich, you know, and if I don't act the snob they'll probably think of some way to blackmail me. "

"I don't quite understand, Yumiko."

"Don't worry, in my head it's all right. I just can't put it into words."

"Why don't you just tell those people you don't like them?"

"I've tried that already. Greed does really strange things to people."

*************************************

By the time Takeshi and his companions arrived, the crowd had already started filling into the stadium. A ring had been placed in the centre of the stadium, a square wooden platform, raised off the ground without any fencing around it. The judges' table stood besides it. Several competitors were ringside, warming themselves up.

"Why don't you three get ready? I have to go over there and talk to the judges." Motoko headed off to the table, where the various martial arts masters greeted her.

"Guess we better do what my mother says." The three teenagers began their warm up, slowly stretching and loosening their muscles so they wouldn't get strains.

"My mum thinks that you're pretty good," Masaru tried to start conversation. "I'll probably still beat you to a pulp, though."

"Yeah, probably," Takeshi admitted.

"What?! You're not supposed to agree with me!"

"It's true though. I probably will lose."

"Are you stupid or something? You don't tell your opponents that! That ruins the pre-fight banter!"

"Whatever."

"I apologise for my brother's behaviour. He's like this all the time."

"Eh, that's alright. It's not your fault"

All the competitors had arrived and the competition was due to start. The announcer for the tournament took to the stage.

"Testing, testing, one, two, three." Satisfied that the microphone was working properly, the announcer began. "Welcome everybody, to the exhibition Freestyle Martial Arts Tournament." The crowd cheered loudly. "The rules are simple. All styles of martial arts are allowed, and all competitors can use a weapon of their choice. The first to land a successful blow is declared the victor. Any competitor that lands outside the ring forfeits the match. If you all would kindly look towards the big screens, you will be able to see the competition tree, with the names of the competitors and their respective fighting styles listed. The first match between Iwako Aoyama and Kurt Freeton will begin in ten minutes."

"Maybe I should use some type of weapon."

"That's a good idea," said Iwako, "since the other competitors will probably have one." She drew her katana, making sure that it was still in good condition.

"Don't you have some kind of sword?" asked Masaru.

"I never needed one before. I'll have to make do with this then," answered Takeshi, taking out his umbrella.

"You can't be serious," replied the other two, looking at Takeshi incredulously.

****************************************

The match was already underway, and Iwako seemed to have the upper hand. Her competitor seemed to be some kind of street thug with a chain, but Iwako had her Shinmeiryu technique to help her. 'The match won't last long,' thought Takeshi. His own match was next, but he had to discuss a few issues with Aunt Motoko first.

"Aunt Motoko, why did you put down my nickname in the registration for? You know how much I hate it."

"I'm sorry, but I thought it would be cute."

"Cute? Cute?! How on earth is 'The Devil' cute? I should have never told you about it." If Takeshi had a deep, dark secret, this would be it. He had been given this nickname during his stay overseas, but he never told people about it unless he was forced to.

"Oh, well. Too late now." Iwako had just won her first round match. "It's your turn now. I think you should get a move on."

"We'll deal with this later."

"Presenting match two of the second round: Chu 'Hornet' Ho-Mun versus Takeshi 'The Devil' Urashima!" Takeshi flinched as his nickname was called out, ignoring the cheering crowd behind him. Bowing to his opponent, took a standard defensive stance and opened his umbrella. His challenger took stance too, preparing his nunchaku in front of him. The crowd cheered even louder. Obviously they were eager to see what his umbrella could do. His opponent attacked first with a series of incredibly fast and powerful hits. It was clear that he was using Jeet Kuen Do, and because of his style and weapon it was extremely hard for others to predict where the next attack will hit. Fortunately, Takeshi had seen it all before through his father and his Great-uncle Seta. He could mimic most of the techniques so he knew where his opponent was going to attack next. 'This is going to be ridiculously easy,' Takeshi thought to himself. 'Fighting fire with fire.' Parrying the onslaught until he saw an opening, Takeshi unleashed his 'Rain Dance' attack. He attacked with a series of off balance moves, much like drunken boxing, his strange weapon adding to the confusion. After several attempts he caught his opponent of guard and stopped before he struck the final blow. The judges' bell was rung.

"The match has ended. The winner of the match is Takeshi 'The Devil' Urashima." The crowd applauded as the contestants bowed once again to each other, then to the judges.

Takeshi hopped off the platform, once again joining the others.

Masaru's smile showed that he was a bit impressed. "That was pretty neat, Takeshi."

"Thanks, Masaru. You two probably wouldn't fall for something like that, though."

"Well I wouldn't, but my sister's so uptight she probably wouldn't expect it."

"I'm sitting right here, you know. Anyway, that guy wasn't very strong."

Masaru scoffed loudly. "What would you know about guys, Iwako?"

"I know that they can't be all like you, Masaru."

****************************************

The sun had reached the top of Hinata's mountain range, and the girls were on their way back home. Yumiko's other friends had left them earlier, since they lived in the other direction. At least they managed to get seats on the tram. After the long day everyone was tired.

"Where did Takeshi go today, anyway? I didn't see him this morning."

"Ara, do you miss him already, Yumiko?" Mizuki and Hiroko sniggered.

"It's not like that! I was just curious as to where he was, that's all."

"Mum mentioned something about brother going to Kyoto."

"Why did he go there?"

"I don't know."

"That's strange."

The tram arrived at the stop for Hinata and the group disembarked.

"How long have you known Takeshi for, Kasumi?"

"I've known him well, forever."

"That long, huh? You must know him pretty well then."

"That's true."

"You two seem like you get along well together. Have you ever…you know…gone out with him?"

"I dated him once but it didn't work out."

"Why not?"

"It was like dating a brother, fun but really weird.. It was nice while it lasted, though. "

"So do you love him?"

"I guess I do, in a way." Kasumi snapped out of her dreamy state and a smirk came upon her lips. "Why are you asking me this stuff anyway? Ara, I know why! Yumiko must be interested in Takeshi!" Kasumi ran up the stairs to Hinata Sou, leaving the other three behind.

"No I'm not!" shouted Yumiko as she ran after Kasumi. Mizuki and Hiroko were two busy laughing to follow.

*************************************

The trio had made their way though the tournament without any major dramas. There was an incident in the second round, however, where a female ninja had ran off crying because allegedly Masaru had groped her bottom. Masaru denied everything, but Takeshi suspected otherwise. The three competitors were now in the semi-final, with Takeshi fighting against Iwako first up.

"I want you two to give your best out there. No mercy because you know each other, is that clear?" Motoko told them.

"Believe me, I will not be giving him any mercy."

"I'll try my best."

"I'll see you two when the fight is over."

The announcer once again took to the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen. We're down to our final four competitors, and the fights are really starting to heat up. The first of our semi-final matches is between the reigning junior kendo champion and young Shinmeiryu artist, Iwako Aoyama. Her opponent is Takeshi 'The Devil' Urashima, who would be the underdog in this match up." Takeshi winced once again as his most hated nickname was used.

The two walked up onto the fighting arena as the crowd cheered. Iwako and Takeshi bowed to each other before taking fighting stance. They looked at each other, seeing who would make the first move. Something inside Takeshi clicked. He felt sluggish and his arms felt all numb. His legs went wobbly and butterflies floated in his stomach. 'Uh-oh,' thought Takeshi, 'this isn't good.' Before he knew it, Iwako was charging towards him, sword at the ready. Although her strikes were not particularly hard or fast, she used a lot of her ki for each attack. What Takeshi would usually find easy to defend against suddenly seemed incredibly hard. Within a few moves, Iwako had breached Takeshi's defences and was in position to strike the final blow. The judges' bell had rung. The match was over and Iwako had won. Bowing to each other and the judges, the two fighters left the arena.

"A weakling, as I thought," muttered Iwako.

Takeshi walked down the corridor towards the change rooms, but Motoko stopped him.

"What happened out there? You weren't giving mercy out there, were you?" Motoko looked slightly annoyed.

"Of course not! I really don't know what happened, Aunt Motoko."

"Try and tell me about it."

"Well, I was looking at Iwako and then I realised that she was a girl."

"Of course she's a girl. So?"

"And she's…you know..."

"She looks a lot like me, doesn't she?" Takeshi gave her a strange look. "Oh, sorry. Go on."

"Something happened inside of me and I felt all strange, like my body wasn't working properly and my mind couldn't focus."

"I think I know what it is. Urashima syndrome."

Takeshi looked extremely confused.

"The symptoms are extreme clumsiness and stupidity when faced with anything female," said Motoko thoughtfully.

"I think I know what you're talking about. I've felt this before as well."

"Don't worry, it'll cure itself."

"When?"

"When you get a girlfriend."

"So, in other words, never."

"Oh, you'll find someone someday, Takeshi-kun. You're such a cute boy, so much like your father…" A dreamy glaze covered Motoko's eyes.

"Snap out of it, Aunt Motoko. I'm not that much like him."

"That's what you think. I have to go now. My perverted son has a match. Why couldn't he be more like you, Takeshi-kun? Why? Where did I go wrong?" Motoko lamented as she headed towards the stadium.

"What a strange woman," said Takeshi to nobody in particular, continuing his journey to the change room.

**************************************

After a quick shower, Takeshi made it back in time to watch the finals. Masaru had won a tough semi-final match against a Wudan swordsman, and was now in the final against his twin sister. Taking a seat next to his Aunt Motoko, Takeshi relaxed and waited for the match to start.

"This should be a good match," he said to Motoko.

"I agree. Those two are quite strong, even though they are still young. I don't think you should have too much trouble handling them. "

Takeshi laughed about it. "Please, Aunt Motoko, you give me too much praise."

"No I don't, Takeshi-kun. You're just way too modest for your own good."

"So who do you think will win?" asked Takeshi, changing the subject.

"It'll be a close call, but I think Iwako will win. Masaru hardly ever does any training."

The two continued waiting until the match started.

"The fight you've all been waiting for, folks. The finals of the Freestyle Martial Arts Tournament!" The crowd was ecstatic. "It's an all family affair today, with the fight against Iwako Aoyama, current junior kendo champ, and Masaru Kiriten, her twin brother. Both have been trained in the Shinmeiryu arts by their mother and host of this competition, Motoko Aoyama." Motoko stood up to bow to the crowd. "Let the finals begin!"

"Are you ready?"

"Bring it on, sis! Bring it on!"

The finals started with a bang. The twins were quite evenly matched. Iwako had the better technique and stronger ki, but Masaru was physically stronger and faster, and was much less predictable in his movements. Iwako decided to finish the match, once and for all.

"Zaniwaken!" yelled Iwako as she unleashed her attack. Masaru tried to block it, but the force of the ki pushed him backwards and out of the ring. The judges' bell rang for the last time. Iwako was the new champion.

"The winner has been decided! Iwako Aoyama is the new champion!" the crowd gave their applause as one of the judges presented Iwako with the trophy, which she held up in triumph.

***************************************

That night, the four of them went out to dinner as a celebration of Iwako's victory. Since it was Iwako's celebration, she had chosen where they were going to eat, and had decided on a fancy Japanese place. Masaru however, was still not too happy about his sister beating him.

"That was a cheap victory, pushing me out of the ring like that."

"It was not. If you had trained a bit you could have deflected it."

"Cheap! Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!"

Iwako looked like she had enough of him. "Maybe we should call Aunt Tsuruko and ask her what she thinks..." she said darkly, getting a nasty gleam in her eye.

Masaru immediately turned green. "Anyone but Aunt Tsuruko! Anyone! I'll be a good boy now."

"Good."

"What's this about your Aunt Tsuruko?"

"Masaru accidentally tried to hit on her once," Iwako explained. "He was punished. Severely. He mistook her for the tofu-shop lady. "

"Sounds painful."

The feast they had ordered arrived and they started eating.

Motoko, Masaru, Iwako and Takeshi had all finished their meals and were now relaxing and waiting for their meals to settle.

"You know that I will be moving temporarily to the Hinata mountains, don't you Takeshi-kun?"

"Yeah, I do. Why are you moving, anyway?"

"I haven't had a vacation in years. I just want to relax a little, maybe finish off my novel and change my surroundings a bit."

"What about the dojo?"

"My husband will take care of that."

"Oh."

"I've also arranged for Iwako to stay at the Hinata Sou."

"Eh?!" Both Iwako and Takeshi exclaimed in surprise.

"It would be good for you, Iwako. There is more to life than just martial arts."

Iwako looked like she was about to argue, but she held back. "Yes, mother." She knew there would be no point.

"See, sis? Even mum agrees with me." Iwako elbowed Masaru in the ribs.

"You will be coming with me too, Masaru."

"Do I get to stay at the girl's dorm?" asked Masaru, a big grin plastered to his face.

"You will be staying with me in the mountains." Masaru's grin disappeared. "I have to take you with me. You're a bad influence on your father."

"I taught him everything I know."

"That's precisely what I mean. Oh, one last thing, before I forget." Motoko took her sword off her belt, and held it towards Takeshi. "This is for you."

"Isn't this the…"

"Yes, it's the Hina Blade. I noticed that you didn't have a sword, so you can have this. It belongs to your family, anyway. Your father just let me borrow it for a while."

"Umm…mum, isn't that thing possessed by some spirit?" Masaru asked.

"It's quite alright. Takeshi-kun should have less trouble using it than I do."

"Well, thanks Aunt Motoko."

"You're welcome, Takeshi-kun."

**************************************

"Hey everyone, I'm back."

"Hi brother." Hiroko was sitting on the veranda, listening to her Walkman.

"Where's mum and dad, Hiroko?"

"We're right here," said Keitaro, walking outside to greet his son, with Naru beside him.

"Aunt Motoko's arrived, and I've got some people I want all of you to meet. Hiroko, you wouldn't mind calling the others, would you?"

"No problem."

Motoko arrived at the top of the flight of stairs, along with numerous bags. Iwako and Masaru were no far behind, and were also carrying luggage. Takeshi assumed that it was all Iwako's.

"Naru! I haven't seen you in such a long time."

"I've missed you, Motoko," said Naru, pulling her close friend in for a hug.

"I thought it was you," said Kitsune, coming up the stairs with a smile on her face. She too gave Motoko a hug. '"How have you been?"

"Great. I guess I better give you a hug too, Urashima." Motoko went over to embrace Keitaro.

"You pervert!" Naru threw a flying punch straight at Keitaro's head.

"What did I do?" asked Keitaro as he soared over the horizon.

"Oops, reflex action," said Naru, embarrassed. The others just laughed at seeing how little Naru had changed.

"Iwako, Masaru, come over here. This is your Aunt Naru and Aunt Kitsune. The flying man is your Uncle Keitaro. He's also the kanrinin."

"Well, actually, Keitaro's not the kanrinin any more. Takeshi is," Naru told Motoko.

"Oh, is that so?" The three older women left to chat in the dormitory.

Iwako's eyes narrowed. "So this weakling is going to look after me. Hmph."

"Oooh, a new girl. New girl!" yelled Mizuki, running through the door and leaving a Mizuki shaped outline.

"Um, this is Mizuki Kanashiro," explained Takeshi as Mizuki ran around Iwako, inspecting the newcomer.

The other girls came through the hole the Mizuki had made. "This is my sister, Hiroko."

"Hi."

"My best friend Kasumi Misumaru."

"Ara. Hello."

"And this is Yumiko Nakamura."

"Hi."

"Girls, this is Iwako Aoyama. She's going to be staying with us, so please make her feel welcome." All the other girls and Takeshi stared at Yumiko.

"What?" she asked, offended but not surprised. "I can be nice."

"Oh, that's her perverted brother, Masaru Kiriten. Since he's a guy…" Masaru was too busy staring and drooling to pay any attention to what was being said. "…He won't be staying with us."

"Now that everyone has been introduced, there's only one thing left to do. The famous Hinata Sou welcoming party!" suggested Kasumi.

"Yay! Party, party! Mizuki likes parties!"

A human blur came speeding up the stairs, stopping when it reached the group.

"Did I hear party?" asked Kitsune, bottles of sake in hand.

"Ok then. Let's go!" exclaimed Kasumi, leading the group back into the inn, followed by Naru and Motoko and finally a slightly messy Keitaro. The only one left outside was Masaru.

"So many cute girls," Masaru bemoaned, falling on his knees. "Why won't they let me stay here?! It's not fair!"